The needle drops on a new hotspot in the heart of Mount Pleasant when local restaurateur Matt Thompson’s new Anthem Sound Lounge concept officially opens its doors at 3124 Main Streetlater this November.
Anthem’s new neighbourhood restaurant and lounge brings a creative list of cocktails, a shareable menu of casual snacks, handhelds and pizza, and weekend sets from local DJs and late-night vibes to a cozy, laidback space on the bustling Main Street corridor that was formerly home to The Five Point Restaurant & Pub.
Anthem’s food menu features an array of starters, share plates and handhelds that include:
SNACKS & SALADS
- Blistered Shishito Peppers (Grilled Lemon Aioli, Smoked Maldon Salt);
- Corn Ribs (Chipotle Lime Crema, Cotija Cheese, Tajin);
- Wild Mushroom Toast (Oyster, Shiitake, Shimeji Mushrooms, Whipped Ricotta, Spicy Chili Crisp);
- Chicharrón Croquettes (Creamy Bechamel Sauce, Pork Belly, Parmesan Cheese, Black Garlic Aioli);
- Grilled Halloumi Skewers (Salsa Macha, Honey, Chives, Toasted Baguette);
- Chicken Wings (Salt and Pepper, Fermented Hot Sauce or ‘Black Dragon’ varieties, Served with Ranch and Sweet Pickles);
- House Beets Salad (Labneh, Arugula, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Pistachios);
- Kale & Radicchio Caesar Salad (Miso Lemon Dressing, Parmesan, Crispy Bacon, Herb and Butter Breadcrumbs)
HANDHELDS
- Tuna Tostadas (Spicy Mayo, Avocado, Radish, Crispy Leeks, Cilantro);
- Baja Taco (Beer Battered Pacific Shrimp, Charred Jalapeño Mayo, Red Cabbage, Pickled White Onion & Serrano, Cilantro);
- Crab & Shrimp Tacos Dorados (Salsa Roja & Verde, Crema, Cabbage, Cotija Cheese, Pickled Onions);
- Bao Buns (Braised Pork Belly, Spicy Mayo, Carrots, Daikon & Jalapeño, Cilantro);
- Beef Cheek Birria (Cheese Crust, Flour Tortillas, Onions and Cilantro, Salsa Roja, Dipping Broth);
- American Classic Burger (Bacon, American Cheese, Classic Fixins, Fries).
Thompson’s pandemic Anthem Pizza project — which can be found at his Park Drive Restaurant on Commercial Drive in East Vancouver — also makes its debut on the menu with a lineup of creative pizzas to enjoy in house or to go via Uber Eats, DoorDash and Skip The Dishes that showcases:
- The Beef Dip (Roast Beef, Caramelized Onions, Mushrooms, Anthem Cheese Blend, Horseradish Mayo, Au Jus Dip);
- Mushroom (Bechemel, Parmesan, Three Cheese Blend, Mushroom Trio);
- Margherita (Tomato Sauce, Torn Basil, Fior Di Latte, Maldon Salt);
- Sabotage (Chorizo Sausage, Pepperoni, Roasted Chicken, Prosciutto, Shredded Mozza);
- Stay Free (Tomato Sauce, Shredded Mozza);
- Detroit (Pepperoni Cups, Tomato Sauce, Anthem Cheese Blend, EVOO);
- The Vegi (Tomato Sauce, Spinach, Gem Tomatoes, Mozza, Parmigiano, Feta);
- Hot Honey (Tomato Sauce, Sopressata, Black Olives, Shredded Mozzarella, Mike’s Famous Hot Honey);
- Institutionalized (Pesto, Artichokes, Zucchini, Mixed Peppers, Black Olives, Red Onions, Macedonian Feta, Dukkah);
- Sublime (BBQ Sauce, Roasted Chicken, Tomato Sauce, Grilled Red Onion, Roasted Garlic, Gremolata).
Anthem Pizza is also a proud, community driven enterprise that thinks outside the box by giving partial proceeds from the sale of each pizza to different designated charities and community organizations each quarter. In the past, Anthem donations have benefited the BC Childrens Hospital Foundation, the Unison Benevolent Fund and Movember, among others.
The Anthem bar program features a list of wines available by glass and bottle, import and craft beer from some of BC’s best breweries and an extensive list of signature and classic cocktails as well as a house-curated list of zero-proof cocktails. It will be helmed by Devon Michael, who has more than 15 years of experience working behind the pine at bars and restaurants from New York to Los Angeles and Vancouver and curates a list of handcrafted libations that pair perfectly with the food, music and new ambiance of the Anthem space.
The cocktail list includes signature libations like The Barbossa (Spiced Rum, Bourbon, Orgeat, Pineapple, Dry Vermouth, Lime Juice, Nutmeg), Clover Club (Gin, Lemon Juice, Raspberry Agave Syrup, Egg Whites, Angostura Bitters), Diablo Verde (Tequila, Jalapeño-Cilantro Agave Syrup, Lime Juice, Chili Salt), Empress Martini (Empress Gin, Coconut Water, Yuzu Lychee Syrup) and The National Anthem (Canadian Whiskey, Rum, Maple, Ginger, Coconut Milk) and time-honoured tipples like Caesars, Negronis, Old Fashioneds and Margaritas.
“We want to pay homage to the Roaring ’20s and that classic prohibition era of cocktail culture where stiff drinks served up in a speakeasy with friends and ne’er-do-wells alike were the order of the day,” says Michael. “We want to add a new ambiance and feel to our spot on Main Street and a place where people can swing by, kick back and relax with friends — laidback, unpretentious and welcome to all.”
Anthem will also offer Weekend Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with sweet and savoury fare that include the Classic Breakfast (Two Eggs any Style, Bacon or Fresh Tomatoes, Sourdough Toast, Salad, Home Fries), French Toast (Cinnamon Loaf, Banana, Chocolate Chips, Maple Syrup, Fresh Berries), Huevos Rancheros (Corn Tortillas, Black Beans, Two Sunny Eggs, Salsa Roja, Salad, Home Fries), Avocado Toast(Roasted Garlic, Fresh Avocado, Sliced Tomatoes, Fried Egg, Spicy Chili Crunch, Home Fries) and Eggs Benedictserved on a Buttermilk Biscuit in Classic (Bacon and Tomato) and Mushroom Medley with Whipped Ricotta as well as Classic Brunch Cocktails for early birds and late risers alike.
Beginning Thursday, November 14, Anthem Sound Lounge will be open Tuesdays through Fridays from 3 p.m. until late and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to late with Happy Hours on tap all-night Tuesday, from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Anthem’s music and weekend DJ sets will be curated by Bradley Bines a.k.a. DJ Bradleybe, owner of Jump Beat Records and a professional DJ and promoter for more than 30 years.